Will Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne Be Back for ‘Bourne 5’? [UPDATE]

Recently 'Bourne 5' was delayed almost an entire year from August 14, 2015 into the more prime real estate of July 15, 2016. Could it be the real reason was to accommodate original star Matt Damon's return to the series? That's the latest rumor.

This word comes from the scoopers over at Latino Review, and it seems logical as continuing the franchise without Damon seems foolish. 'The Bourne Legacy' attempted to replace Damon as the lead of the franchise with Jeremy Renner, and though the film isn't terrible, it existed in the shadows of the previous films. And considering that 'The Bourne Ultimatum' made $227 million domestically and $442 worldwide, while 'Legacy' made $113 million domestic (the lowest grossing 'Bourne' domestically) and $276 million worldwide, bringing back the franchise's star for a team up adventure is the best way to re-energize public interest.

UPDATE: 'Bourne' producer Frank Marshall debunked this rumor, telling THR, "It's simply not true. [Director] Justin Linis working with Andrew Baldwin on an Aaron Cross script/story that they pitched us a few months ago. I talk to Justin all the time and the script is not ready. It's a summer movie, and if we don't start preproduction now, we can't make next summer. Therefore, it's a wise decision to move to 2016." Continue reading our original story...

Damon has been reluctant to return to the franchise for a number of reasons. He blamed 'Legacy' director Tony Gilroy for the chaos of the 'Ultimatum' shoot by calling his original draft "unreadable" and "a career-ender." On top of which he said he was reluctant to return without 'The Bourne Supermacy' and 'Ultimatum' helmer Paul Greengrass and without a good story to tell. If this report is true, either it suggests that they've cracked a good reason for Bourne to return to the field, 'Bourne 5' director Justin Lin is about to get replaced, or Matt Damon will soon be in the position to buy an island from this deal.